The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has told the Supreme Court that the Kerala Governor was justified in granting sanction for prosecution of CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan in a multi-crore rupee graft case as the "state cabinet was biased in his favour".
The agency submitted that Vijayan being the state party secretary had the propensity to influence the council of ministers as even the Chief Minister's appointment in the CPI(M) hierarchy is subject to the party leader's opinion.
"Petitioner Pinarayi Vijayan was ex-minister and at present he is the Secretary of the ruling political party viz; Communist Party (Marxist). As per the hierarchical set up and the actual exercise of power in the party, the State Secretary of Marxist Party is politically the top-most position.
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